The Mercedes SL Class is a grand touring sports car, equipped with plenty of everything to ensure that the driver has a great experience every time he or she gets behind the wheel. And since I haven’t seen all of the 1997 SL vehicles that are still out there, it would be a little far-fetched to imply that this is the nicest one left. However, with a mere 37,500 miles on the odometer plus 181 photos provided in the listing, I do believe it is fair to say that this 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL600 is definitely a top-tier example and it’s certainly stirring up some interest in the SL community. It can be seen here at the Collecting Cars website with a current bid of $19,500. If the thought of owning this beautiful SL interests you, you’d better hurry to get your offer in because the auction ends at 17:10 hours on Sunday, December 5.
The SL being offered here offers a whole lot of creature comforts. In addition to that way cool period original Mercedes phone, you also get automatic climate control, xenon headlights with auto-dim, cruise control, Bose sound system with cassette, power-adjustable heated seats, and more. The exterior is finished in Polar White, and the paint is stated to be in superb condition. The car also comes with the sought-after body-colored panoramic glass hardtop roof.
Inside, things are looking really inviting for the driver to slide in behind the wheel, and for the one passenger to also enjoy the experience. The interior is finished in two-tone mushroom leather, with dark burl wood veneer accents all over the place. The photos show a well-preserved cockpit and the seller says there is no major wear to speak of, with the only issue mentioned being minor creasing on the driver’s seat, which is said to be in line with the low mileage.
Lift the hood of this SL and there sits another item of sheer beauty- a 6.0-liter V12 engine producing 389 horsepower. The motor sends power to the rear wheels through a 5-speed automatic transmission. The most recent engine service was an oil change 100 miles ago performed by the technicians at Cape Coral Foreign garage in Florida. The car rides on 17-inch AMG Hammer-style polished split-rim alloy wheels, and electronic stability control plus a self-leveling suspension help keep things under control for that V12. The car also has ABS brakes to slow things down in a hurry if needed.
I’m always thankful and impressed when a seller includes photos of the underside of their car, and not only are there several photos of the south side of this Mercedes but also quite a few pictures of the suspension parts. Everything is clean as a whistle and in well-preserved condition down below, and it would be hard to find fault with anything that can be seen from the underneath photos.
This SL is said to have been stored in a climate-controlled environment on a trickle-controlled charger when it is not on the road. It comes with its factory literature and still has its factory tools intact. The seller also says there are no known electrical or mechanical issues, and this definitely does appear to be a car that needs no immediate attention from its next owner. What are your thoughts on this 1997 Mercedes-Benz SL600?
This is a nice example of the C140 chassis. As you can see these were getting pretty complex. Most were put out to pasture when top hydraulics, suspension issues, traction control issues and other mechanical faults made these cars too expensive to repair. Nice cruisers though but be prepared for expensive repairs.
R129.
But yeah, these don’t get cheaper to keep running over time.
It’s a R129 chassis.
They are not that hard to work on, especially if you have httwin software.
Whoop’s, my bad. I must have had my rose colored glasses on when I read this find.
A luxury car thar is 25 years old has the potential for a lot of very expensive repairs. However, the buyer would be rewarded with 6 liters of silky smooth power, world class handling and braking and a firm but comfortable ride. Short of a vdry select view pricey choices today, nothing would compare with a car like this.
I would think, if you can afford to buy it, you ought to be able to afford the repair bills. I currently own an upscale VW Passat with every option under the sun. The horn went south and the repair costs are over 1.200 bucks – that´s the HORN, ergo, I drive without it – and that´s a Passat, not a car in the class of this M-B.
Gonna sell for less than a new civic and could run for years with no issues, I think it’s a steal
I differ thinking the co was on the down slide at this point.
Sold on 9/12/2021 for $29,400
Located in Cape Coral, FL